A highly anticipated event at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) is taking place on the Helena Campus as PCCUA welcomes its new men’s basketball coach to campus.
Anthony McDonald, who was previously serving as the assistant men’s basketball coach at Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) in Moorhead, MS, has been hired to initiate a historic comeback for the Ridge Runners, reinstituting the collegiate men’s team.
McDonald says he is hardworking and dedicated and knows what it takes to win on and off the court. Equally important to him is helping mold young boys into men with class, integrity and discipline.
Pleased to welcome McDonald, PCCUA Athletic Director Kevin Martin Arnold stated, “A major component of initiating our basketball comeback has been searching for the right coach to help us get things off the ground. With McDonald’s experience, skill, and leadership, we feel we are in great hands moving forward with major plans for our men’s basketball here.”
Anxious to be here and begin preparing for his new role, McDonald added, “I’m excited to be here taking on this important role. I’m anxious to get our team formed and carry this program back to a winning level!”
McDonald holds an Associate’s Degree from MDCC and a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU)/North Carolina Central University (NCCU). He is a high school graduate and state champion of Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
McDonald competed on the junior college level as a guard, first for the Indians at Itawamba Community College in the 2011-12 season and then for the Trojans in 2012-13. During his tenure as a player, MDCC was a Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) state runner-up and 3rd team All-American.
He continued his playing career at MVSU and upon graduation continued his graduate studies at NCCU, where he went on to receive recognition as a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion as well as being named a 2nd team ALL-MEAC performer during his senior season in 2013-14, while the team was crowned MEAC Champions.
After his collegiate career, McDonald went on to play professionally in the NBAG-league, as well as in nine different countries. He also represented the USA men’s basketball team in the Perbasi Cup. After his playing career, he became a skills trainer and high school coach before assuming the position as assistant men’s basketball coach at MDCC, where he gained additional experience attending coaching clinics at Ole Miss and Mississippi State University.
It’s been 32 years since PCCUA has had collegiate basketball teams, and the students, employees and the community are pumped about bringing the men’s and women’s teams back. This fall, following a year-long, extensive renovation of the college’s gymnasium which was built in the 1960s, PCCUA will kick off its new basketball program. Phillips College had award winning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) competitive teams, which began in the late 1960s and ran through 1990. Like those teams, players will be recruited, and the new Ridge Runner teams will compete with other teams in the NJCAA.
